Propagating geraniums by taking cuttings is an easy way to multiply your plants and an ideal plant to clone.

Once you master the basics of propagating geraniums, no geranium plant will be safe from your garden pruner!

 

Ivy-leaved Geraniums were the first plants  I learned how to propagate and I remember asking, "Why isn't everyone doing this?"

You probably have a geranium in your garden right now that you can practice your cloning chops with.

If not, take a walk around the block and when you spot one you like, ask your neighbor for permission and take a cutting!

 

Why Propagate Your Own Plants?

The garden centers are full of affordable, eye catching plants these days.

Why multiply your own plants?

If you have a favorite or nostalgic plant that isn't produced anymore and isn't patented- cuttings are an ideal way to make more plants!

Best of all, it's free.

 

Watch the Video: "How to Turn One Geranium into Many Geraniums: Gardens of the Rich and Famous"

For those of you who like to watch my  "how-to" videos, here's one that's short, informative, and entertaining.

I promise you'll remember every step!

My husband did, and he's not a gardener.

Not even close!

 

Watch the new "Gardens of the Rich and Famous" web series on Digs Channel- Youtube!

I'm their gardening expert.

 

Materials For Geranium Propagation

• Sanitized hand pruner or scissors
• Small pots
• Sterile, lightweight potting soil
• Spray bottle for watering your cuttings
• Rooting hormone to stimulate root growth
• Plastic zip loc or storage bags to use as "mini-greenhouse"
• A healthy "mother plant" to take cuttings from

 

Steps For Propagating Geraniums

 

1. Select a healthy geranium plant that will act as the "mother plants" from which all new plants will come from.

It's all about the genes, so go ahead and discriminate!

Look for sturdy stems, green leaves, robust flowers and avoid plants that are diseased or infested with pests.

 

It's best to identify your mother plant while it's in flower so that you know what to expect from it- your plant will be a clone!

 

 

2. Take cuttings.

You will need to cut a stem that is between four to six inches long.

Take your cuttings early in the day, morning is ideal because of mild temperatures.

Cutting a plant during the hottest part of the day can magnify stress in a  plant.

Remember, you are extracting a living entity from it's life source and creating a new home for it!

Make it comfortable transition!

 

Short geranium stem

Cut your geranium stem at a 45-degree angle, directly below a node.

 

 

 

 

Illustration of node on a plant stem

 

A node is a swelling along the stem where leaves emerge from.

The new roots of your geranium plant will grow beneath the node, so make sure to make a clean cut.

 

 

3. Remove the lower leaves from the stem and any flowers or buds along the top.

Lower leaves are vulnerable to rotting since they may come in contact with the soil.

Flowers and buds should be removed in order for  your new plant to concentrate on growing roots and not to maintain flowers!

 

Three or four leaves should be retained along the top of the stem for photosynthesis and to support the growing cycle.

 

Rooting hormone for stem cuttings

 

4. Dip the bottom of your stem into rooting hormone.

Some gardeners argue that rooting hormone is not necessary for success in cloning geraniums, but I find that it gives new plants a "fighting chance."

 

Dip the bottom 1/4 inch of the stem into rooting hormone and dust off the excess powder.

Too much rooting hormone can damage a young plant.

Less is more.

 

Geranium cuttings in pots

 

5. Insert your cuttings into a small pot that is filled with pre-moistened lightweight, sterile potting soil.

Bury the part of the stem that has rooting hormone on it.

It's vital that the soil be moist for the cuttings to prevent wilting.

 

Misting bottle for cuttings

 

6. Mist your cuttings!!

During the first few weeks of the growing period, mist your plants daily so that they don't dry out.

Avoid using a watering can- the force of the water stream can dislodge plants.

 

Protect your cuttings from evaporation!

It's the cause of death for many new plants.

 

Zip loc bag as a mini greenhouse!

 

7. Cover your cutting pots with a plastic bag.

Oh, the joy of repurposing materials for the garden!

 

Zip loc bags are a great substitute for mini-greenhouses and for maintaining warm temperatures and moist environments for your new plants.

New plants can't take up water like mature plants do, because they lack roots.

It's the job of the propagator to provide a protective environment within the mini- greenhouse walls.

 

Take care that the bag doesn't "collapse" on the plants, prop it up with stakes if necessary.

 

 

 

8. Place your cuttings in a bright, sunny spot, but avoid direct sunlight!

Temperature plays an important role in plant growth and root formation.

Ideal soil temperatures for rooting plants is between 70 to 75 degrees.

Difussed sunlight is best as the sun's rays are intensified under the plastic and may scorch the plant.

Find a draft-free area and avoid wind tunnels or you're sure to send your plants flying!

 

9. Check your cuttings every day for the next few weeks!

You will be looking for moist soil and for any pests that may have invaded the mini greenhouse.

It shouldn't take more than a minute to mist your plants and move them to a new location if necessary.

 

Wait Actively For Your New Plants!

Indulge yourself in the wonder of life as you witness tiny nodes swell, new leaves emerge and threadlike roots start to form on your new plant!

You'll be transformed into a proud plant parent!

Propagating plants is a rewarding hobby.

 

Within four to six weeks, you will have a new plant that is capable of living outside of it's "incubator!"

This is the amount of time needed for the plant to grow roots and sustain itself.

You'll know that your plant has formed roots when you gently tug at it and you feel resisitance!

 

Transplant your baby plant into a larger pot or add it  to a mixed container with other plants!

 

 

Shirley, gardening expert on the new, "Gardens of the Rich and Famous" show on Digs Channel, Youtube

 

 Congratulations!

You're on your way to becoming a plant propagator!

 

If you're ready for more  plant propagating adventure, read my other blog posts and watch my gardening videos:

Succulents

Red Fountain grass

 

Don't be shy!

Leave me your comments and questions below and please share this blog post  and video on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Visit EdenMakers blog often for all things garden design, makeovers and gardening basics.

The video of the week will teach you how to multiply a Kalanchoe plant.

 

I can't believe how popular Kalanchoe, or "Flapjack" plants are these days!

I see them planted in landscapes and used in container gardens for indoors and outdoors.

 

 

The beauty of Kalanchoes is that they can be multiplied very easily by taking cuttings.

Learn how to propagate a Kalanchoe plant by watching this short video.

If you prefer to read, my blog post,  "Propagating Succulents: Kalanchoe luciae Flapjack Plants" will give you step by step instructions.

 

Do you have any questions about multiply a Flapjack plant?

 

Please share the link to the video with your friends or embed the video in your next blog post about succulents!

Visit Eden Makers Blog regularly and subscribe to recieve updates of new blog posts.

 

Shirley

 

 

 

 

If you follow EdenMakers Blog, my garden falls in the Sunset Western Garden Book area of emphasis- western gardens.

Where do you garden?

Do you own a Sunset Garden Book?

 

Shirley

 

 

 

 

So, Los Angeles isn't New England when it comes to Fall color, but there are some trees that you can plant for  that "four season" look, minus the snow.

 

Thank goodness I had my camera this morning.

The "fall trees" in my neighborhood were calling out to me.

Here are a few.

 

 

Fall Tree Roll Call

1. Pomegranate 
   
2. Liquidambar 
   
3. Birch 
   
4. Crape Myrtle
   
5. Ash 
   
6. Sycamore 
   
7. Orange 
   
8. Evergreen Pear

Anyone have a Gingko tree in their yard? Upload a photo in the comment form pretty please.

I love those trees!

 

EdenMaker DIY:

Next time you trim your plants, don't add the "waste material" to your compost like you are encouraged to do.

That's right, I'm offering you advice that goes against the grain.

Why compost "certain" plants when you can use the cuttings (trimmings) to create new plants, or even a gorgeous container garden!

 

That's what I did!

 

I had two planters that needed some pruning but I was in a creative mood. I was itching to produce a work of garden art from my refuse material! 

 

1. Trailing sedum                                                              

 

  2. Bulbine 

The first planter (1) had overgrown trailing sedum that needed to be trimmed. The second planter (2) was home to a bulbine plant that was bursting at the seams and needed to be divided and repotted.

Perfect "donor" plants for a new container garden, I thought.

 

 

Echevaria

 

After gathering my cuttings, I noticed some fledgling echevaria plants  peeking out of another planter, "crying out" to be saved from under the weight of it's decaying mother plant.

How could I resist? 

 

 

  Echevarias, bulbine and other cuttings ready for planting     

                              

I Need a Container!

So you think I was going to go out and buy a container for my cuttings? How silly! Of course not.

I was in the mood for "FREE" and I was confident I could find something to repurpose as a planter around the storage shed. 

 

But first, my future planter had to meet some requirements:

 

1. Made of non-decaying material and stand up to water.
2. Made of material that I could drill a drain hole into without cracking.
3. Be of more value as a planter than as something that I never use!!
   

 

Repurpose a Copper Container!

 

I discovered a neglected copper beverage container that was destined for another purpose.

I reasoned that if it was designed to hold ice, it could  function  as a planter.

A little soil and water won't hurt it. 

Copper beverage cooler = great planter!    

 

     

I drilled a few drainage holes at the bottom of my new planter to ensure good drainage. Succulents are not fond of excess water.

 

  

Ups A Daisy planter insert 

 

Before adding soil, I placed an  Ups A Daisy planter insert into the container, about half way down.

The Ups A Daisy insert functions as a barrier between the plant and the bottom of the planter.  Since the plant is suspended away from the bottom of the pot where water drains, roots are never sitting in water.

Another benefit of using a planter insert such as the Ups A Daisy is that less soil is required to fill your container.

Lighter containers!

 

 

                                     

I filled my planter with "cactus mix"

You can purchase a special "cactus mix" at the garden center for planting succulents or you can make your own.

Here is a recipe by Jeff Moore as seen on the Fine Gardening website for you avid DIY'ers

 

I arranged the succulents along the perimeter and created a backdrop of bulbine behind them. I draped the pantyhose in the open area between the plants and tucked them in.

Pantyhose for the garden

 

Panty hose  are binding, suffocating and too hot to wear in Los Angeles. But like many things, they can be used in the garden.

Panty hose make a great soil barrier and keep some of my finishing touches such as colored glass or designer gravel from sinking into the soil!

  

 I topped the panty hose with tumbled, colored glass.

 

Colored glass is a sparkling accent that provides year-round color to the succulent container garden. The glass also highlights  the subtle colors of the succulent petals. 

 

 

This stylish succulent container garden only looks like a million bucks! Plants were free and the container was lost treasure!

 

What can you make from what you have  sitting around your yard?

Want to learn how to propagate other succulents? Watch my video: "Multiply This Plant"

It's fun and easy.

 

 

 

Do you prefer to use common names for plants or are you a botanical Latin maven?

As a professional landscape designer and garden communicator who does a lot of public speaking and television, I HAD to learn botanical Latin.

It’s the universal language of horticulture!

Do you see a “creeping fig” vine or a Ficus repens clinging to this wall?

 

When I was in landscaping school,  I enjoyed the field trips to the botanical gardens to discover new plants until the teacher starting using botanical plant names.

My eyes crossed at the confusing Latin words.

Every plant name sounded like a medical term or disease!

To make matters worse, our teacher got a kick out of   drilling us on  the proper pronunciation of plant names, which took some of the fun away.

Since I speak Spanish, I was guilty of over-pronouncing the letter “r” in words such as “gregii,” or names such as “Sarcococca“, or “Cupressus,” the latin  name for  Italian cypress trees.

My teacher’s patience with my “rolling r’s” was wearing thin until one day he let me have it!

 

“For a Latina, you sure can’t speak Latin,” he exclaimed.

Duh, I was born in Los Angeles in the 20th century!

 

 

Do you say “rosemary” or “Rosmarinus” when referring to the potted plant?

 

I knew it was important to learn botanical Latin since I was a  fledgling professional, but the way he presented it was sooooo boring and forgettable that I was discouraged.

Now that I produce garden videos, I got the idea to create a fun and entertaining  series that teaches  gardeners how to pronounce botanical plant names!

I’m so excited to share it with you.

The series is called, “Say it in Botanical Latin.”

The segments are short, (50-seconds) and not only do you learn how to pronounce the plant’s name, you also learn the meaning of the plant’s name!

Very interesting stuff and entertaining. I promise!

Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia teaches us how to pronounce the name of a very popular and gorgeous shrub , “Chinese fringe flower” in this series premiere!

 

Watch Nicholas now.

Enjoy and please leave me a comment about “Say it in Botanical Latin.”

I recommend David Beaulieu, Landscape Guide at About.com’s article on the importance of Botanical Latin and learning plant names.

 

 

Learn how to multiply your plants: red fountain grass!

Now that the weather is cooling down in my zone 10 garden in Los Angeles, I'm doing yearly maintenance on some of my ornamental grasses.

 

 

Red fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum enjoyed a great run this summer.

As a "warm season" grass, Pennisetum setaceum is in active growth mode throughout the summer and its feathery plumes stir up a lot of attention from passersby.

 

I usually let my grasses grow and leave them alone to set their own height restrictions but lately, I've noticed some of them need help with "girth control."

Their getting fat around the middle!

 

Good news for me because that means that the plants can afford a little "horticultural lipo" when I extract some "divisions" and create more plants!

Want to see me in action, propagating red fountain grass?

 

I promise this video is very short and informative and may encourage you to get dirty!

Look for all of my "Multiply Your Plants" videos shown weekly on my garden TV talk show, "Garden World Report."

Last week, I multiplied a Kalanchoe plant by cuttings.